Interview by Kris Peters
This August, Tasmania's finest export, extreme metal pioneers, Psycroptic join like-minded-and-saxophone-wielding US progressive death wizards Rivers of Nihil for a co-headline tour that brings together two elite bands operating at the highest tier of modern death metal.
For Psycroptic, the timing couldn’t be stronger. Off the back of relentless global touring alongside the likes of Dying Fetus, Ne Obliviscaris and Six Feet Under, the recently released singles, Architecture of Extinction and Falling, plus their ninth studio album set for a mid year release via Metal Blade Records, the band continue to prove why they remain Australia’s most respected technical metal export more than two decades in.
Fellow Metal Blade label mates, Rivers of Nihil arrive riding the momentum of their 2025 self-titled release, a record that tightened their sound without losing the scope that has defined them since Where Owls Know My Name. Now fronted by bassist Adam Biggs, the band’s current form is more potent than it ever was.
Joining them on all dates are Melbourne’s psychologically charged Growth who are on the eve of releasing part two of their highly anticipated album trilogy, Under The Under, and Sydney’s uncompromisingly brutal, Slaughtercult, rounding out a bill that is equal parts precision, atmosphere and outright savagery.
HEAVY caught up with Biggs to find out more, starting with what has changed with Rivers Of Nihil since they were last out here in 2023.
"Since then we've put out a new record that we did last year," he measured. "It's our fifth studio album and a self-titled record, and is the first one with yours truly on on vocals alongside our new guitarist, Andy Thomas, also providing his soaring clean vocals and such like that. So it's a mix up in the lineup of the band, but I think we've put together a strong cluster of songs, especially to bring to the stage."
With the tour being billed as a co-headline event, we ask Biggs if that means themselves and Psycroptic will alternate playing last each night or whether it means something else.
"I think we're playing the same length set," he replied, obviously unsure himself. "I can't remember if we are alternating or not, but I'm fairly certain it's Psycroptic closing the show for the most part. I mean, we're on on their home turf and they're the national Australian death metal band so it's hard to argue with that (laughs)."
In the full interview, Adam spoke more about the tour and what to expect, including having the final date at Necrosonic Festival in Brisbane. We talked about what fans can expect, as well as his recent transition to frontman and how easy that move was for him.
Their latest self titled album was mentioned, including which album song was the most challenging to learn to play live and more.
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